At St Joseph’s we know that understanding basic mathematics is an essential life skill, and a good start at primary school paves the way for success at secondary school and beyond. Our Scheme of work covers the full scope of the EYFS curriculum (number and numerical patterns) and the National Curriculum. However it offers even greater challenge to the pupils and teachers alike. This reflects our highly ambitious curriculum that has led to consistently higher than average outcomes in mathematics over the last 10 years. The sequence in which pupils learn concepts is constantly refined to ensure that pupils have plenty of opportunities to overlearn key concepts, so they can commit these to their long term memory. Focusing on pre skills and practise and repetition allows pupils to free up some aspects of their 'working knowledge' so that they can, overtime, know more and remember more.

Links to mathematics are made across all subjects in the curriculum however dedicated maths lessons take place every day.  Mathematical activities provide opportunities for intellectual challenge, aesthetic pleasure and creativity. Aspects of reasoning and problem solving are woven in throughout our scheme of work to enable pupils to deepen their conditional knowledge.  These are directly linked to the concepts pupils are covering enabling them to apply their knowledge and develop a deeper understanding through fluency.

At St Joseph’s the quality of teaching is most important, with pupils rating a good and enthusiastic teacher as the greatest influence in their enjoyment of mathematics.

In Reception we provide an ambitious framework for success focusing on early number and emphasising the empty set (zero). From year one onwards, pupils are set three ways according to their mathematical understanding. This allows pupils to succeed within their capabilities as well as supporting learners through small groups, dedicated adult support and challenging our most able pupils. We follow our own Scheme of Work tailored to the needs of our pupils. Repetition and overlearning is crucial throughout the Scheme of Work.  Within lessons pupils are building upon their prior knowledge and repeat previous key concepts taught to ensure knowledge becomes embedded into their long term memory. Mathematical vocabulary, key facts, formulae and methods in each year group are repeated throughout the Scheme of Work to ensure pupils declarative and procedural knowledge.

Our results show excellent progress from entry at foundation stage, through to the end of Year 6 and progress in mathematics was deemed as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted at our last inspection. In more recent times pupils progress has been recognised by DFE minister Nick Gibb for being in the top 2% of schools in 3 of the last 4 years where published data has been available. (2016, 2017, 2019)

Parents can support their child’s mathematical development at home. Board games, puzzles and jigsaws are a great way to provide fun mathematical experiences. It’s also important to show how we use maths skills in our everyday lives and to involve children in activities such as baking and shopping.

Identifying problems and solving them can also help your child develop maths skills. If you see him or her puzzling over something, talk about the problem and try to work out the solution together.

Practising Times Tables Year 2 -6 – with a strong understanding of multiplication, children will have a better understanding and succeed in topics such as division and fractions. Times Tables have practical applications in our daily lives. For example, calculating prices when shopping or managing budgets. It is an essential skill for financial literacy and general problem solving. Pupils feel more confident in their mathematical abilities when they have secure knowledge of times tables.

Don’t shy away from maths if you didn’t like it at school. Try to find new ways to enjoy the subject with your child.

The mathematics curriculum enriched by:

• Maths projects on DB Primary for all year groups
• Maths club for KS1 (Autumn term)
• Maths club KS2 (Spring term)
• Maths morning working with parents in Y2

• Times Tables Rock Stars ttrockstars.com/parents/

• Point out the different shapes to be found around your home.
• Take your child shopping and talk about the quantities of anything you buy.
• Let your child handle money and work out how much things cost.
• Look together for numbers on street signs and car registration plates

Tutor Bot contains completely free online maths games where children can practice their mathematics skills.  Featuring over 100 different customisable games which we hope kids will find to be a fun and new way to improve their mathematics fluency, accuracy and speed.

Updated November 2023.